Stargazing and Space Exploration

[Aviador]

What causes the heart shape do you know?

 

[Scottie Dog]

I've no idea Aviador - that's why I was wondering if I could email the photo to somebody who might have greater photographic knowledge than me.

 

[Aviador]

The obvious would be that part of the planet faces away from the sun but I'm no astronomer. The only other theory I have is it could be distorted by space or light.

 

[Jerry]

If anyone is interested Space X are about to launch there Falcon heavy rocket with a Tesla onboard. The launch is on facebook. Just google it.

 

[Aviador]

If anyone is interested Space X are about to launch there Falcon heavy rocket with a Tesla onboard. The launch is on Social Media. Just google it.

Just watched it depart on BBC news.

 

[Jerry]

If anyone doesn't know the Falcon Heavy Rocket is what will carry the Orion spacecraft and humans to Mars eventually.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I've just watched it on BBCi. Absolutely amazing!
The thing I can't get my head around, was the twin landings of the booster rockets - was that real?

One other thing that I noticed. A shot from inside Elon's car, showed the message 'Don't Panic' attached to the dashboard. Surely, a reference to the brilliant 'Hitchickers Guide to the Galaxy' by the late Douglas Adams.

Kevin

 

[Elmdon80slad]

A shot of Jupiter and his moons -

E.View attachment 7523

 

[Coathanger16]

The thing I can't get my head around, was the twin landings of the booster rockets - was that real?

Indeed it was real. I believe they've been testing landing the rockets for a couple of years now, but to see two land so close was pretty incredible I must say.

I wonder what weighs more - the fuel required for that landing or a parachute system? The fact that they've chosen to land the rockets rather than use parachutes would suggest the latter is heavier - that is unless its just about showing off 🤣

 

[Elmdon80slad]

View attachment 7524 Another go at Orion.

E.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

A shot of Jupiter and his moons -

E.View attachment 7523

👍 Galileo would be proud.

Kevin

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Indeed it was real. I believe they've been testing landing the rockets for a couple of years now, but to see two land so close was pretty incredible I must say.

I've watched footage of several attmepts to land returning boosters on a barge, with things going wrong in the last few seconds. Wonderful to see a twin landing working perfectly!

Kevin

 

[Elmdon80slad]

👍 Galileo would be proud.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin.

E.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Sun with a few sun spots through some cloud - hence why I shot it.

E.View attachment 7525

 

[Jerry]

I've just watched it on BBCi. Absolutely amazing!
The thing I can't get my head around, was the twin landings of the booster rockets - was that real?

Yep. They've been experimenting for a while to get them to land and had a few failures. Having the rockets reusable makes the whole process cheaper. I'm not sure if they landed the centre core though. The cameras cut off.

 

[Aviador]

I've just watched it on BBCi. Absolutely amazing!
The thing I can't get my head around, was the twin landings of the booster rockets - was that real?

One other thing that I noticed. A shot from inside Elon's car, showed the message 'Don't Panic' attached to the dashboard. Surely, a reference to the brilliant 'Hitchickers Guide to the Galaxy' by the late Douglas Adams.

Kevin

Apparently the car will be playing
David Bowie - "Life On Mars" on repeat as it tracks through the Galaxy.

 

[Aviador]

Sun with a few sun spots through some cloud - hence why I shot it.

E.View attachment 7525

I didn't know you could do that. Will it not burn out your lens?

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I didn't know you could do that. Will it not burn out your lens?

It was behind a layer of cloud at the time so I took the shot quickly.

E.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I didn't know you could do that. Will it not burn out your lens?

I think it's very important to state that no one should ever look directly at the Sun, without suitable eye protection such as the glasses sold when an eclipse is due. Just a few seconds is enough to cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Use of binoculas or telescopes multiplies the effect. I'm sure as kids, we've all seen what a magnifying glass can do to paper, sticks and sadly ants.
The same applies to photographic equipment. Whilst the lens may survive, you are likely to fry the camera sensor.
If you are really interested in viewing or photographing solar events, get advice from your local astronomy club. I'm sure that they will be more than happy to advise and you may find a new hobby.

Kevin

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I want add to what kevin said above, it is very true No one should attempt to photograph the full sun, I took a chance as I had a very short window where the sun was obscured enough briefly not to be a danger.
I took the shot through live view where I was also wearing strong sun glasses.

E.